This sample SOP is for applying to a master’s program in Finance / Investment in the USA.
As a child, I often accompanied my uncle to the stock market. Looking at the share index numbers on the large overhead screen, I was fascinated with this world. As I grew up, I gradually came to appreciate the importance of financial instruments in the modern world. In the university, I was fortunate to have been exposed to many interesting and challenging fields. Though I ultimately chose to major in Accounting, I also studied business, management, economics, and finance. These courses impressed upon me the importance of the financial sector in the economy. Finance professionals have the unique responsibility of managing assets and analyzing risks to ensure the future success of a company or organization. It is difficult to overstate the importance of this role, as the financial crisis of 2009 showed. It is due to my understanding of the importance of finance and investment, coupled with my longstanding interest for this subject, that I have decided to pursue postgraduate studies in finance at your prestigious university.
Earning a master’s degree in finance would ideally complement my undergraduate degree in accounting. My background in accounting provides me with fundamental knowledge of many finance-related theories and concepts, as well as familiarity with statistics and data analysis. I learned the basic tenets of finance in courses such as Economics, Management, Accounting and Public Finance. Through case studies and lectures, I broadened my understanding of economic principles while learning about management and its relationship to finance. This was particularly fascinating at the time because the global financial crisis of 2009 was wrecking havoc on economies and businesses around the world, and the theories that we learned were directly applicable to the current events in the news. In the course Financial Quantitative Methods, I learned to use mathematical and statistical methods to properly analyze financial instruments and financial markets. Due to my diligence and high scores in class, I was given the award for Excellence in Academic Performance after my freshman year in the university. As my transcript shows, I continued performing at this high level throughout my time in the university.
While in the university, I also sought part-time work to gain practical experience and financially support my education. During summer and winter vacations, I worked as a sales assistant in Moneybags Bank, responsible for credit card promotions and various internal affairs. I learned to communicate effectively with customers and I applied my professional knowledge to earn their trust. I also gained familiarity with risk management, selecting different investment tools as required by the customers’ individual proclivities. This job was rewarding and immensely instructive, and it has solidified my resolve to devote my future career to the field of finance and investment.
I have chosen to pursue master’s studies in the US because it is home to many of the leading financial professionals and institutions in the world. The recent financial crisis has transformed the finance industry, and studying in the US is ideal for grasping the changes that are currently taking place in this field. Specifically, the resources and expertise available in your university will provide me with a broad and deep learning experience. I am eager to challenge myself in such a setting and learn from renowned professors, while interacting with equally ambitious and motivated classmates.
After earning my master’s degree, I hope to work for an international investment bank such as Superbank or Giant Investments Bank as a financial and investment professional. Equipped with the technical expertise and professional skills learned in your university, I will be prepared for the challenges that I will encounter. In my career, I hope to not only work to avoid future financial collapses, but also to help institutions use their resources to the greatest advantage. I am confident that I am well-prepared to meet the demands of your program, and I greatly appreciate your consideration.
